Private legal practitioner and host of Joy News File, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has stated that giving voters food or money before or during an election is a crime.

His comment comes after reports emerged that some persons in a queue to vote in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency of the Greater Accra Region were given food packs, water and drinks by the incumbent MP for the area, Lydia Alhassan.

According to Mr Anyenini, "If a person commits the offence of treating, if he corruptly, either himself or through another person, before, during, or after an election, gives or provides meat, drink, and entertainment or provision, all for any person, it is a crime."

He commented on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Wednesday, December 4.

He emphasized that the law is clear on this matter. "The law said a person commits the offence of treating if he corruptly, either himself or through another person, gives and provides drink, entertainment, and has to be done with a purpose."

He explained that the offence of treating begins with the corrupt intention of influencing voters. "It begins by saying if you do corruptly, either by yourself or through some other person, so directly or indirectly, before, during, or after an election, if you are giving money, or you are paying for someone's food or drink or meat, either you are paying in full or you are paying in part, you are committing the offence of treating, and that the law will catch you."

Mr Anyenini also noted that both the giver and the receiver are considered corrupt. "If they bribe these people, they don't bribe them with the hope that they are going to vote for someone else, but rather, when they bribe them, they pay them extra money."

He concluded that the police may face challenges in prosecuting party officials due to the need for the Attorney General's consent.

He prefers the office of the Special Prosecutor, which does not require the Attorney General's consent.